Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-04-17
VIM. M. CLEMENTS
Universal Satisfaction Over His Recon
Appointment as
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE B. 60
An Interesting Sketch Of His Railroad
Career.
TRAITS OF CHARACTER OUTLINED.

TRAITS 0F CHARACTER OUTLINED.
The CO. frmation by the Board of Direc-
tors Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company of the appointment of VIM. NJ.
Clements as General Manager Of all the 3.
4 o. lines east of the Ohio river, will make
more than a thousand hearts glad. Per
haps there was no officer ever on the b. &
o. more popular or held in higher esteem
than Mr.. Clements. He not only won the
affections of men-but their respect as we'll;
and this can he said of him from the most
humble laborer on the great system up to
its President His two great points were
his ability TO handle men and his thor
ough mastery Of all the intricate
minutie of railrOading. His capacity in
great emergencies seemed TO have no limit.
This WAS eNemplitied during the inaugura-
ton OF President Cleveland, upon both
the arrival and departure Of the many
trains at Washington, the work being done
without hitch or break. During the great
strike of ten years ago on the +. & o., it
was he who started the first train out Of
Martinsburg. His intrepidity and resOlu-
ton broke the neck of the strike.
There is story that is going the rounds
in print about him being a freight con-
ductor and having wOrdy war
with old President Garrett, whom
he took to he an inquisitive passenger.
Ii has no foundation in fact, except so far
rs il goes to illu strate his character. 1t is
correct in that particular and in no other,
and for that reason it deserved reproduction
in the REGISTER of Friday. The truth is,
so far rs can he aScertained, Mr.. Clements,
after wandering away from his Kentucky
home. when hoy, to seek tame and for
tune, first got onto steamboat, where he
worked his way up to- clerkship. Next
he WAS heard OF rs being in the railroad and
express business at Cincinnati. 1t was from
there. wc believe, he was called to the ser
vice of the R.'& o. And his first duty
was as point agent at ParkersbuTg of the
r. & O., and Marietta and Cincinnati rail
roads. His duties i'll this capacity were
many and onerOus, but his record was
such that it endeared him alike TO EN-
ployes of the road and the citizens of Par
kersburg. 1t was while stationed
at that city that the lgreat
Chicago fire occurred. The Parkersburg
folks delegated Mr.. Clements to convey
in person their liberal donation 10 the
grief stricken city. Mr.. Clements mott
fled Mr.. King, who was then his chief, OF
the duty imposed upon him. Mr.. King
telegraphed back a mandatory message
that it would be better to express the dona-
ton aud he remain ut his post. Clements
telegraghed back:
Express HI. I'm going TO Chi
cago."
And he went. This incident serves ia
not only bring out his independence
and blufiness of character, but also the
warm hold he had upon the esteem and
confidence of the citizens of Parkersburg.
About this time he fell out with Mr.
Sharp, who was master of transportation,
and resigned on the dot. II wasn't long
until hr had better position on the l., Z.
& l., where he remained until the elder
Garrett called him back Ia act as Assistant
Master of Transportation, to he stationed
at Baltimore position he did not accept
until he was assured that he would not he
interfcred with by Mr.. Sharp. Just here
it may be mentioned that the employees Of
the 4. ~ O. made him a present of q $3.50
diamond pin before he departed for his
new quarters on the l., c. Il j..
1t was not long after Mr.. Clements re-
turned To the 4. x q. that he was pro-
NOTED TO he Master of Transportation, MIR.
Sharp meanwhile having resigned. From
this on the gentleman management OF
the several departments under his charge
proved 10 be of the most successful charac-
ter. His good nature, tirmuess, excellent
Judgment and thorough democracy OF
character made him loved and respected
by all employees on the road, while his
careful and successful management com
manded the respect and admiration OF the
President and directors OF the Company.
Every one is familiar with the trouble OF
two years ago that compelled MIR. Clements
to resign, SO that little need be said about
it. Suffice it to say he would not stul,
tify himself bv remaining and carrying out
the orders of Superintendent Durham in
supplanting old and tried men with new
aud untried ones lie believed in the
good rule Of rewarding merit and
ecryice, aud when there was promo,
tiOus 10 he made, they should
come from the faithful and deserving in
the ranks. Here lay the key to his
STRENGTH with bis men, and his success in
the management of his several depart
ments. The chance Of higher place
made men aim To do their best and de-
serve the reward.
Mr. Clements entered upon the duties OF
his new office on Friday, aud we join
with the great army of Il. Il q. railrOadeTs
in expressing our congratulations to Mr..
Clements over his appointment and con-
firmation as general manager Of the Il. 4
o. lines, and wish him all the success and
happiness man could wish from his fellow
man,